6 emotions needed to fuel motivation

By now you have your goals written down, your plan of action to achieve those goals, and the behavior changes you need to meet those goals. For those who have been reading my posts for a while, you know that the most successful way to reach your goals is to change your behavior. If you need a primer on that idea or you haven't heard of that idea before, here is a link to my earlier post titled, "Don't focus on the goal".

Finding one's purpose in life

Today's motivational topic is a bit different than just changing behavior. I was able to watch a Tony Robbins TedTalk. We all know Tony Robbins as a multi-millionaire motivational speaker. If you are like me, you may have some hesitancy in listening to Tony Robbins or his advice simply because he is a multi-millionaire. Well Tony wasn't always a rich guy talking on stage; he comes from pretty humble circumstances and he worked his way up to where he is today. For that very reason, he may be one of the best people to take advice from.

This isn't your traditional motivational video - it isn't filled with the positive self talk or the play on words that many have become so used to hearing when watching a motivational speaker. His talk is more about a person evaluating themselves and using that information to shape the person's destiny. Now, I'm not a believer in the whole if you follow your destiny you will be rich. Rather, I think following your destiny will bring you fulfillment. Actually, I don't even like to use the word "destiny"; I would much rather prefer the word "purpose". I do believe that this is Tony Robbins goal; explaining how finding one's purpose will bring fulfillment in life.

The word you use - destiny or purpose - is not the focus here. Finding out what emotion motivates you to move forward is the entire focus of this talk. Why are you motivated to make changes in the world around you, motivated to make changes in your home, to make changes in your life. Having the answers to these questions will either give you the push to accomplish those behavioral changes needed to meet your goals.

Six emotions that fuel motivation

He lists six needs that all human beings must fulfill. Each of them have corresponding emotions tied to them. Robbins' theory is very similar to another theory that I am very familiar with - Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. It is a motivational theory developed by American psychiatrist Abraham Harold Maslow. For me, the connection between Maslow's theory and Robbin's theory allows me to put more stock in Robbin's talk. I have more confidence in his expertise than I did before watching the video simply because I know from my own life that Maslow's theory is dead on.

According to Robbins, in order to be fulfilled each person must be able to realize the following needs:

• Certainty - The need to be comfortable. This includes the need to food, water, home of some sort, safety, etc. 
• Uncertainty - The need for variety. In order to be motivated to do what needs to be done, one cannot be bored. 
• Significance - The need to be important.  Each person has the desire to feel that they can make a difference in their own life or in the life of others.
• Connection and Love - The need to be connected to something other than oneself. This may be God, another human being, even a pet. 

The difference between people is not if one has the desire to achieve the needs above, that is a forgone conclusion. Each person must have the needs above and each person will figure out a way to get these needs. Rather, the difference is the level to which each person must have this need. Some people need more certainty than others, the need to feel significant may be higher for one person over another.  some need connection and love more than others. The point to motivation and reaching the next level is to determine what your highest driver is; where your emotion lies. Once that is determined, each person can then use that emotion to get to the next two points:

• Grow - The need to advance to push the mind and body to develop into more than they are today. 
• Contributing beyond yourself - The need to make a contribution to another person, a business, or the world as a whole better.

Your thoughts

The entire TedTalk is below. I think it would be interesting to hear what you think about the talk. Does it motivate you to look to those goals you wrote down in January? Does it motivate you to change some things in your life? 

Give me your feedback in the comments below or click on the Contact Me tab and send me a private message.

Above all --- make this Monday count!